Economic Specialist (Economic & Commercial Specialist)

The U.S. Mission in Gabon is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the Economic Specialist in the Political and Economic office.

Reporting to the Economic Officer, or POL/ECON Chief in the absence of an Economic Officer, the incumbent maintains a wide range of contacts within the government, private sector, and multilateral and regional institutions. Tracks and analyzes economic and statistical data, trends, and highlights, communicating their relevance to U.S. policy interests. Drafts required annual reports, provides drafted material for cables, and prepares reports analyzing the importance of economic and commercial events in Gabon. Extracts information from a variety of published sources as well as identifies sources of non-published data. Maintains commercial resources, distributes publications and trade promotion materials to target audiences, and responds to commercial inquiries. Assists visiting U.S. businesspeople with their inquiries. Aids visiting USG personnel and associated individuals by arranging meetings, interpreting for and accompanying these individuals as required.

Economic Research and Reporting:

(30%)

The incumbent works independently to gather information, research, and provide thorough analysis on the wide range of economic and commercial issues in Gabon, the Central African region, and internationally. Briefs and advises the Economic Officer, POL/ECON chief, DCM, and Chief of Mission, as well as high-level visitors on economic and commercial policy matters. Prepares written products such as briefing memos on economic and commercial issues with expert analysis, and input for cables. Ensures reporting contains clear, organized, and accurate information, including analyzing economic developments and trends relevant to Washington, drafted comprehensively, using consistent U.S. government formatting, spelling, punctuation, and style, minimizing grammatical, formatting, and spelling errors.

Congressionally or Department Mandated Reports:

(20%)

Attends economic and commercial events and sets up meetings with topical experts to gather the data and other information necessary to draft regular congressionally and department mandated reports. Prepares required reports, including but not limited to the AGOA Eligibility Annual Review, Commercial Action Plan, Country Commercial Guide, Fiscal Transparency Report, and Investment Climate Statement.

Contact Management:

(15%)

The incumbent establishes and maintains contacts with government officials, private companies, NGOs, unions, civil society leaders, and the press. Leverages those contacts to gain information for economic and commercial reporting and congressionally mandated reports, as well as identify areas for further collaboration between the Embassy and Gabon.

Commercial Management:

(15%)

The incumbent maintains commercial materials and files for the POL/ECON Section. Position is the public face of Embassy Libreville to the Gabonese business community, partners in the U.S. government, and U.S. companies. The position is also directly responsible for the U.S. government's foreign commercial work in Gabon, as the Foreign Commercial Service does not have a presence in country. This position has high visibility in Gabon and its work is regularly relied upon for decision making by actors within and outside of the Embassy. Moreover, the position is the institutional memory of the Economic and Commercial Section of Embassy Libreville. Finally, the incumbent meets with all levels of the USG and the Government of Gabon. This sometimes includes meetings with high level representatives in the Government of Gabon such as Ministers and their first counsels.

ESTH and Political Portfolio Back-Up:

(10%)

The incumbent is required to fill-in to cover the Environment, Science, Technology, and Health portfolio as well as the political portfolio in the absence of the respective locally employed staff. As back-up, the incumbent must be able to fulfill the major duties and responsibilities of each of those positions while also performing the other duties and responsibilities as described above.

Logistical Support :

(10%)

The incumbent arranges meetings and accompanies officers, including the Front Office, and takes notes. The specialist also arranges travel for official trips for the POL/ECON section or Front Office, providing logistical support and accompanying officers on the travel. Travels in Libreville, the region, and internationally may be required for economic, commercial, and professional topics.

Note: This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the incumbent.

Requirements:

All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a:

Public Trust security clearance.

All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.

Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.

Education Requirements:

A Bachelor's degree in economics, business administration, marketing, finance, or statistics is required.

*Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education.*

Evaluations:

You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.

You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.

You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

Qualifications:

Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years of professional work experience is required in the field of economics, market research, finance, private sector management.

*Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.*

Language:

English - Fluent; written/spoken, including ability to translate

French - Fluent; written/spoken, including ability to translate

*Please address this language requirement in your ERA application.*

Job Knowledge:

Must have advanced knowledge of the Gabonese government structure, private sector, economic trends, and foreign commercial operations in Gabon.

*Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.*

How to Apply:

Click the “Apply to this Vacancy” button at the top of the page to begin your application. For an instructional video on how to apply click

here.

Please address all relevant experience, education, language skills (including English), and job related skills or requirements in your application.

You may edit your application any time before the vacancy closing date. If you fail to submit a complete application by the vacancy closing date of this vacancy, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

For a copy of the complete position description, please contact the HR Office.

To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the HR Office.